They want to know from women, Are you spiritual or sexual?
People wonder about Solomon and all his wives,
In the body of the world they say there’s a soul and you are that.
But we have ways within each other which will never be said by anyone. Rumi

I was on my Facebook page for a brief visit when a captivating photograph caught my attention. I scrolled back to the top of my home page, and there it was – Bimba by Maïmouna Patrizia Guerresi. I’d never heard of the artist but a quick Google search led me to both her website – maimounaguerresi.com and to artnet.com, (an excellent online art auction site), where 69 pieces of her artwork are up for sale. Her work is quite extraordinary in that some of her photographic art show her subjects floating in the air, defying gravity, or in rather unusual, out-of-this-world settings. What held my interest even further was the fact that her artistic works focus on the conditions of women; particularly the role of marginalized women in society.

“Everything you possess of skill, and wealth, and handicraft, wasn’t it first merely a thought and a quest?” Rumi

“Do you know what you are?
You are a manuscript oƒ a divine letter.
You are a mirror reflecting a noble face.
This universe is not outside of you.
Look inside yourself;
everything that you want,
you are already that.” Rumi

Maïmouna Patrizia Guerresi is an accomplished, internationally regarded artist who works in multiple mediums; photography, video, art installations and sculptures, and I was thrilled to find her work. What makes this find special, at least for me, is the fact that her work is not only quite unique in form and presentation, but that it explores the feminine experience through stark, poised, posed, veiled photos that make you stop and think. Have they lost their voices? Are they communicating something more?

Moonlight floods the whole sky from horizon to horizon; How much it can fill your room depends on its windows.” Rumi

You’ve been walking the ocean’s edge,
holding up your robes to keep them dry.
You must dive naked under and deeper under,
a thousand times deeper! Rumi

Patrizia Maimouna Guerresi’s biography says her “work functions as both metaphor and provocation.” and that she uses “recurrent metaphors such as milk, light, the hijab, trees, and contrasting white on black to create awareness of the vital unifying qualities of the feminine archetype and its special healing potential.” Her images highlight the intersection of the personal and the spiritual, tradition and isolation, and their impact on women whose lives seem to exist on the edge of the contemporary world. Granted, her subjects live in third world cultures but they are straddling two worlds; the contemporary and the cultural/traditional.

Currently, her artwork is available for sale online via Artnet.com and onsite at Edizioni Galleria Colombari in Italy, and Tasveer in India. She will be participating in three exhibits in India; starting in Bangalore from 29th June – 20th July 2012, Ahmedabad, from 10th August – 19th August 2012, and in Delhi, India: 26th October – 9th November 2012. Go visit and maybe buy some art. You won’t be disappointed. More below!

“Words are a pretext. It is the inner bond that draws one person to another, not words.” Rumi

Look as long as you can at the friend you love
No matter whether that friend is moving away from you
or coming back toward you. Rumi

I hope you enjoyed the journey through some of Maimouna’s fantastic artistic works. Do check out the rest and also her website as there is more to see. More details on her representations below. Stay Inspired! What are your thoughts? Are you familiar with the artist’s work? Would you recommend others that are comparable or uniquely different? Do you see regularly experience the power of creative action in your life? Do share! Thank you.

eof737, I hope you feel better soon.
As the years have gone by I have not only come to appreciate art but down right like it.
I have a friend of mine I have known my entire life who is an artist and is quite good, I hope you get a second to check her work out.http://erinduquette.weebly.com/

I have never seen this artist or her work before, Elizabeth. Mesmerizing! And each one is so different from the other. I’m so glad you’ve introduced her to me. And do feel better soon! I’m so sorry you’re not well…sometimes we just get stopped right in our tracks, and I hope you can get back in order soon…but not too soon! Rest! 🙂 Debra

A fascinating look into a very pogressive artist. I can’t wait to continue to explore more of her art. Thank you so much for posting her here today. I find her artwork incredibly outstanding.
Your Rumi qoute are great. He is someone I love to read.
Namaste ….

WOW! AWESOME art and thank you for sharing this…i was unaware of this artist. The Rumi words really complement her work as well.
*hope you’re feeling better…here’s some energy cyber healing rays>>>>>>>going out to you>>>>>>>